Messenger Job in NYC

So, before I get mean replies, I did search and didn't have any luck. Maybe you can suggest some good search words or link me to a past post. Ok.

I am looking into getting a bike messenger job in NYC -- but I'm not sure what the best way to go about doing it is. Also -- what do most messengers get paid? I'm sure its minimal. Thanks for any help.

Three weeks ago you were getting into track racing and frame building. At this rate, you should be dropping out of the fad before this year's freshman class has the chance to sell their Pistas on CL. Way to go!

A cop pulled me over for riding 2 abreast at 2:30am on a 4 lane road and informed me that bicycles are not classified as a vehicle in Massachusetts. As a result, I'm pretty bummed about having moved to Boston.

Three weeks ago you were getting into track racing and frame building. At this rate, you should be dropping out of the fad before this year's freshman class has the chance to sell their Pistas on CL. Way to go!

haha, thats terrible. but so true.
op, well, i can't stop u from being a bike messenger. but u can make more money doing other things if u strapped for cash. all u have to do it go to any of the messenger centers with a bike, phone and bag and most will hire u. go to mother's, breakaway, or urban express.

Three weeks ago you were getting into track racing and frame building. At this rate, you should be dropping out of the fad before this year's freshman class has the chance to sell their Pistas on CL. Way to go!

Thanks for tracking me -- I have noticed your remarks to a lot of my posts. I've been biking/racing my whole life and I still want to create frames and I still want to race track. Unfortunately I don't have the cash to create frames and its not the season to race track.

Three weeks ago you were getting into track racing and frame building. At this rate, you should be dropping out of the fad before this year's freshman class has the chance to sell their Pistas on CL. Way to go!

don't be a *****. would that all cyclists were so avid about taking part.

data do as dylan said. it's a slow business for newbies, as priority is given to experienced, fast and dependable riders. once you've proved you are such priority will be given to you. and pay is a percentage of the fee for the run, usually around the 50% mark.

Curious

I am a cyclist, but not nearly as hardcore as you fixedgear/messenger types.

Anyway, I work at a law firm in downtown Houston and I see a few really badass bike messengers on their fixed gears zipping around town.. I'm always curious, what does an experienced bike messenger make? They're pretty ******** awesome.

hey kid just show up at a joint and be ready to work you could always try getting on team hawk (I think they have a habit of asking people to join vs hiring walk ins)
::Squid signal::
its easy to get a job in a big city my town ha I have to do much more than be a messenger to get paid (courier work, legal research and writing (studying right now), mobile notary (waiting for commission papers to come...)

good luck and keep your head
in Sacto we are all hourly work those who do more things get paid more for most companies start at 8/hr and can get up to 20-25 plus commission for notary and reprografix

i worked two jobs when i was a messenger because the pay is way lousy. but holy crap, especially on rainy days, little bits of recognition go a long way. respect and the faint glimmer of hooking up with a cute secretary are pretty wonderful forms of payment, if i might snarkily say so myself.

oh, and OP, check with Urban Express. there's a LOT of companies in the city and plenty of people move around frequently. don't worry about starting out with the best.

cycle hawk, squid's company just started. i don't think he is hiring right now. he has 2 other guys besides himself. i just spoke to him like 3 days ago about. i mean, if u need a job, why not get a job with more money and less dangerous. or do u just want to be a messenger. if that's the case, that's fine, go to the locations i told u. find the address on line. call first and talk to steve at mothers. at breakaway, u have to watch some 4 hour video of sorts so be prepared not to work ur "1st" if u work for breakaway. pay is about 40% of each delievery u make. it's long hours, sometimes from 8 till 6. it's getting cold. but if ur a badass go for it

don't be a *****. would that all cyclists were so avid about taking part.

Don't get me wrong; I encourage anyone and everyone to start/continue cycling. I just get frustrated when people take riding fixed from a hobby to a lifestyle after only doing it for a few weeks (or making it look that way by creating an account and posting 20 easily-searched newb questions in a matter of days).

In any case, if I can't be a jerk here, where can I?

A cop pulled me over for riding 2 abreast at 2:30am on a 4 lane road and informed me that bicycles are not classified as a vehicle in Massachusetts. As a result, I'm pretty bummed about having moved to Boston.

Can I recommend food delvery as an alternative? You make an hourly wage, regardless of how many runs you make, there's tips, and free or dicounted food. And you get to run around on your bike.

yes i agree. i work for pastis in the meat packing district. i delievered food to tim robbins, and he gave me a 20, then off to the editor in chief of vogue, anna wintour, another 20 and finally julianna moore, gave me 30 and a napkin. plus whatever other delieveries i made, plus my hourly wage, and food. i made 140 for a 4 hour shift and bounced at 10 and was able to go party afterwards. now, my homeboy is messengering, and he has to make 20 plus runs to make that. i was sitting around reading the ny post. i have no street cred, and i'm ok with that b/c in the long run, i need to make money.

but to the other post, messengers decline in the winter. they all leave for school or get other jobs that doesn't make them ride in the cold.

Where someone actually cares what you say...OP, go for it man...I hear its hard work...I stayed with an old messenger from the 80's on my last trip to NY and he told me its tougher than expected...He also said it was a blast though b/c it ain't in the office...I say go for it if you can handle it..